The H&R editors would like to know: Who or what gets the credit as your primary horse-world mentor? Choose the answer that best reflects your main source of advice, encouragement, and inspiration.

 

1.FAMILY MEMBER. My main mentor is a relative------parent, sibling, or other.

2. UNPAID FRIEND. I’m blessed with a pal who gladly shares what he or she has learned.

3. PAID PRO COACH OR TRAINER. Mentoring is part of what I pay for when I take lessons or ride in clinics.

4. EMPLOYER. I work for a pro, and get my mentoring as part of the package.

5. MODERN MEDIA. My main source of mentoring comes from books, magazines, video formats, and/or online groups.

#1 - my parents used to ride me in front of them when I was a baby, and it just went from there!  Thank God I still have both of them, but they will always be my mentors in life.

 My mentors have always been my instructors. No family member has ever shown the slightest interest in my horse hobby, and I don't have friends.  Two authors have been especially helpful - Sally Swift and Mark Rashid.

My Gracie:

and I don't have friends.

excuse me?  what are we, chopped liver?  (to quote another one of your online friends, FH)

 awwwwwwww

 I owe you one now, Texas. And by the way, when are you going to post a picture of your spots?

#2:  FH gives me more encouragement than any other person.  He shares willingly and has helped me tremendously with my yearling and my horse that gets hot!

However, I also learn a lot from # 1 and # 4......My daugher trains and I learn a lot from the media.

#1 all the way. I have been blessed with the world's absolute best mom!  She had me in a saddle when I was an infant, and has supported me every step of the way.  She has taught me most everything I know, and she is a wonderful teacher.  I will be starting dressage soon, and she hasn't ever done that, so I look forward to being able to teach her.

Sadly #5, no family members will take any interest (/sigh) and, being an older rider, I don't have any riding friends- although I'm trying to interest people!

I did do a Mark Rashid clinic (he is my fav trainer/author) and it was AMAZING.  I learned more from him in 3 days than in 5 years of lessons.  And I had a good instructor a couple years ago, but #5 is my main method (including this forum!)

I get most of my help from #5 Modern Media.  I do a lot of reading of magazines, books and on-line.  Equisearch.com is a VALUABLE tool for getting opinions from others more knowledgeable than me.  I follow the advice and methods of a couple trainers and take from each what works for me. 

 I also have to include #2 as I have several friends who are invaluable to me for their support and advice. 

I personally don't have 1 mentor. But I do have numerous influences in my life.

#1 Family - They are the ones who got me started. I was horse crazy from the moment I was born. We always had ponies growing up as little ones. It was my families way of keeping me out of trouble. We learned to ride by ourselves. If you fell off, you were put back on to learn what you had to do to stay on. **Inspired me to ride and be the best I can be, and always have fun**

#2 Unpaid friend - We had numerous friends growing up that we rode with. Ask a question, they would answer you with what they know. Sometimes right, sometimes wrong, but you put that info away to pull out later when needed. **Kept me interested in riding, have fun, and relax.**

#3 Paid coach - Well they were not really paid but I cleaned stalls for lessons back when I was in high school. My only time I was ever given lessons and they lasted about 1 yr until I was in a car accident and suffered a broken back and unable to ride for a year. But I learned alot there in the short time I was able. **Able to learn the basics about riding. How to ride and why you have to do it right**

#4 employer - I have been lucky enough to have 2 different jobs with horse people. The 1st one was right out of high school. I learned so much from a very old, crotchety woman. Best time of my life. LOL. And I have a part time job at a horse farm now that I bounce off questions and thoughts. **learned basic training, first aid, how to deal with others, gain respect from others.**

#5 Modern Media - where would be any of us be with out it? ES is great and I have had the opportunity to get so much info here. And I am another one that has gotten great advice from FH. I have the utmost respect for that man. **Humbles me to know I don't know everything there is to know. But I can help others and they are there if I ever need them.**

So to say I have 1 mentor would be a lie. I have many and they are there for a reason.

 

For me, a mix of 3 and 5.  My Equisearch buddies are awesome (of course) and I have recently acquired and phenomenal dressage trainer who has become a friend as well and who constantly rises above and beyond the call of duty to help Solo and I progress.

My Gracie:

 awwwwwwww

 I owe you one now, Texas. And by the way, when are you going to post a picture of your spots?

oh i only have a couple of little bitty pics in my gallery - i only get online here in my office since i only have dial up at home, waaaaay to slow for pics and keeping up with y'all here in the forum, so i don't have any good pics here on my work computer.  i could bring some though if i can remember!

MANY unpaid friends!  I come from a very unhorsey family so I rely on friends for help and advice.  I have many horsey friends who know so much and are glad to share their knowledge and experience with me up to and including lessons and letting me ride their horses. 

Hmmm.... I don't think I have just 1!  While I learned a LOT from my parents growing up, and later from a couple of trainers we had horses with, I'm just a giant sponge (lol) and really think I learn the most from observation of others and just plain old asking questions!  My favorite place to be most times is at the show the day before or late at night during a multi-day show.  I've met more trainers that way and seen more training methods that way.  And honestly, most of the trainers I've met are very gracious about answering my questions or explaining what they're doing and why.

As far as advice, encouragement, and inspiration?  I always love hearing about an underdog (someone successful on the breed circuit without a trainer or lots of $), and watching a couple of close friends find success :)  That just makes me want it more and try harder.

I am so thankful to be able to say that for 37 years of my life my Mom was my horseback riding mentor. She taught me how to ride everything from bareback to barrel racing to hunter jumpers. I was grateful to have her be as horse crazy as me and I can't imagine life without horses in it. Brain Cancer took her from me two short years ago, but I know her spirit lives on everytime I look out my kitchen window and see the horses grazing in the pasture. We shared many great years in the saddle showing and rodeo(ing) on the weekends. Some of our best times were just going out to the barn and jumping up on the horse's backs and taking them out for a quick trail ride or to the pond for a swim on hot summer afternoon. What I wouldn't give for one more ride with her, thanks Mom for all of the great memories together and for bringing such a wonderful sport into my life and what apeace of mind they have continued to give me.

Sincerely,

Robin Kerekes

Blythewood, SC